Currituck

Civil War Trail Markers Dedicated

by Guy Reade
Correspondent
Email: guy@nencnews.com

Local citizens and county officials gathered at the Historic Currituck County Courthouse prior to Monday’s Board meeting to dedicate a series of historical markers commemorating Currituck County’s role in the Civil War.
According to Chris Meekins, author and staff member at the NC?Department of Archives and History, Currituck County held great importance, both geographically and strategically during the early days of the Civil War. According to Meekins, author of the book “Elizabeth City, North Carolina and the Civil War”, the network of sounds and rivers across the region, particularly Currituck Sound, the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal and North River became an important supply line for Federal forces. Meekins related that Currituck was an early target for the Union forces, and a continuing target for Confederate forces.
Markers dedicated in Currituck County include (from North to South):

Knotts Island - a marker at Ruritan Park in Knotts Island tells the tale of residents manufacturing salt for preservation of meats. Salt works were important targets of Union raids during the war.
Moyock - The marker located at Moyock Elementary Schoolhighlights the areas proximity to Norfolk, Virginia and the ongoing efforts of local farmers and merchants attempting to do business with Union forces.
Currituck Courthouse - The marker at Currituck Courthouse highlights the location of a Confederate recruiting station when the war first began. Later, Union troops occupied the Courthouse area for use as a local staging area for raids.
Maple - the marker located at Maple Post Office on Hwy 168 tells the story of the Maple Leaf - a Union troop transport captured by Confederate prisoners. (?See Photo Below) Shawboro - a marker in Shawboro tells the story of Confederate Colonel Henry Sha, who was killed in a raid on New Bern in 1864. Shaw also served as a member of the NC?General Assembly.
Indiantown Creek Bridge - a marker located near the Camden / Currituck line notes the sinkling of the confederate schooner Scuppernong.
The Albemarle &?Chesapeake Canal - a marker at Veterans Park in Coinjock notes the importance of the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal to both sides during the war.
Point Harbor - a marker at Sound Park in Point Harbor describes the importance of Currituck Sound for transportation to both sides.

Contact Guy Reade at
guy@nencnews.com

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